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A perforated (burst) eardrum is a hole or tear in your eardrum. It usually gets better on its own within 2 months, but you may need treatment such as antibiotics.
Symptoms of a perforated eardrum usually start suddenly after an:
Most of the time symptoms affect 1 ear and include:
If you're not sure if it's a perforated eardrum, find out about other conditions that can cause earache, hearing loss or tinnitus.
It might not be anything serious, but it's best to get help as it may need to be treated quickly.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
A perforated eardrum usually gets better on its own within 2 months and your hearing returns to normal.
A GP may prescribe antibiotics if you have an ear infection, or to stop you getting an ear infection while your eardrum heals.
Sometimes, surgery to repair the eardrum (myringoplasty) may be needed if the eardrum is not healing by itself.
Go back to your GP if your symptoms have not started to improve after a few weeks.
Find out more about myringoplasty surgery on the ENT UK website
There are some things you can do to help heal a perforated eardrum and ease symptoms.
take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any pain
put a large piece of cotton wool covered in petroleum jelly in your outer ear when you wash your hair to stop water getting in
do not go swimming or get your ear wet until your eardrum heals
do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds or eardrops (unless a doctor recommends them)
try not to blow your nose too hard because this can damage your eardrum as it heals
It's safe to fly if you have a perforated eardrum. But if you've had surgery to repair a perforated eardrum (myringoplasty), do not fly until you're told it's safe to.
